Most children with ostomies can return to a normal diet soon after the operation. You can start to give your child most foods slowly (unless there is an allergy). Talk with your child’s doctor or nurse about specific foods. This Family Education Sheet can help you decide which foods may be best for your child.

How should my child eat after surgery?

Your child may be more comfortable eating many small meals and snacks for the first few weeks after surgery instead of larger meals.

Add new foods to your child’s diet one at a time. After she gets used to that food, add another.

Be sure that your child chews her food very well. Some foods can change the smell and thickness of the stool (poop) and cause gas (you’ll find a list of foods in this handout). If a food seems to cause a bad smell or gas, you do not need to stop giving your child the food. You can try giving it to your child several times.

How much should my child drink?

If your child has an ileostomy (a type of ostomy that connects the small intestine to the belly), it’s very important for her to drink lots of fluids. Your child needs extra fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Children can also get dehydrated from being in the sun or in hot temperatures, lots of exercise (like playing sports) and taking some medications. It’s important for your child to drink extra fluids in these situations.

Talk with your doctor or nurse about exactly how much your child needs to drink.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Extremely thirsty

Dry mouth and dry skin

Less urine (pee) or urinethat is darker in color

Nausea or belly cramping

General feeling of achiness

Lightheadedness or feeling dizzy

What is a food blockage?

Your child may develop a food blockage, especially if your child has an ileostomy. Undigested fibrous foods can build up and block the flow of stool through the bowel.

Your child should chew foods well to avoid blockages.

Call your doctor or nurse if your child has belly pain, very little or no stool for more than 4 hours, a large increase in the amount of stool or if she is vomiting (throwing up).

What foods can cause blockages?

Fibrous vegetables like celery, broccoli, beans

Coconut

Coleslaw

Corn on the cob

Dried fruits

Nuts and seeds

Meats in casings, like hot dogs, sausage, kielbasa

Peas

Pineapple

Popcorn

Raisins

Skins from fruits & vegetables

How can I tell if there is a blockage?

Your child may have:

Crampy belly pain

Belly swelling

Stomach swelling

Large amount of
watery stool (usually
with a bad smell)

The inability to eat or drink

Nausea and vomiting

Irritability and crankiness

Very little or no stool for more than four hours

What foods can cause a bad odor?

Asparagus

Beans

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage

Coffee

Cucumber

Eggs

Fish

Garlic

Green peppers

Milk

Onions

Prunes

Radishes

Turnips

Vitamins

What foods help with bad odor?

Buttermilk

Cranberry juice

Parsley

Spinach

Yogurt

What foods might cause gas?

Apples (raw)

Asparagus

Beans

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carbonated drinks

Cauliflower

Chewing gum

Corn

Cucumber

Dairy foods

Eggs

Melon

Mushrooms

Nuts

Onions

Melon

Peas

Spicy foods

Spinach

Note: Chewing gum, or drinking straws, causes you to swallow more air and increase gas (“air in the pouch”). This may create a noisy stomach.

What foods thicken stool?

Applesauce

Bananas

Breads

Cheeses

Marshmallows

Milk

Peanut butter (creamy)

Starchy foods (rice, pasta, potatoes, tapioca)

Yogurt

What foods thin stool?

Apple juice

Chocolate

Fresh fruits

Fried foods

Grape juice

Green beans

Foods with lots of seasoning

Prune juice

What foods change the color of stool?

Beets

Red Jell-O

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